A beer can left at the scene of a murder has aided authorities in identifying a man accused of bludgeoning a Montana father and outdoorsman to death inside his camping tent, according to police.
Identification of the Suspect
Gallatin County detectives managed to identify 41-year-old Daren Christopher Abbey through a DNA sample collected from a beer can found inside the tent where 35-year-old Dustin Kjersem was discovered dead. The can was analyzed at the Montana State Crime Lab.
Alleged Murder Circumstances
Abbey is currently in custody in Butte, Montana, for an unrelated probation violation and is expected to be transferred to Gallatin County to face serious charges, including deliberate homicide and two counts of tampering with evidence.
“This appears to be a heinous crime committed by an individual who had no regard for the life of Dustin Kjersem,” Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer stated during a press conference on Thursday.
Suspect’s Confession
Following an interview with detectives, Abbey confessed to the murder on Tuesday. According to his profile on the Montana Department of Correction website, Abbey has tattoos all over his body, including an “iron cross w/ swastika” and symbols associated with Germany’s Nazi Party.
Sheriff Springer explained that Abbey removed items from the campsite that he believed could link him to the crime, including a cooler, firearms, and an ax. “This is the behavior of a guilty subject who thought they could get away with murder,” he said.
The Fatal Encounter
Kjersem arrived in the Moose Creek area on Thursday, October 10, and set up his campsite, which included a wall tent with a wood stove and various camping amenities. During Abbey’s confession, detectives learned that Abbey was looking for a place to camp that night and had intended to use Kjersem’s site.
“As he approached the site, he realized someone was staying there,” Springer reported. “Dustin welcomed him to the campsite and offered him a beer.” However, a violent confrontation ensued, during which Abbey allegedly struck Kjersem with a solid piece of wood, stabbed him in the neck with a screwdriver, and ultimately killed him with the ax.
Discovery of the Body
Kjersem had planned to leave the campsite and pick up his girlfriend on Friday evening, October 11, but when he failed to arrive, she grew concerned. On Saturday morning, October 12, she and a friend drove to the campsite, where they found Kjersem deceased in the tent. Initially, authorities suspected a bear attack, but it was later determined that Kjersem had been murdered.
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A Chance Encounter
“This homicide appears to be a chance encounter,” Sheriff Springer stated. “There does not appear to be any connection between our victim and our suspect.” Abbey was reportedly living in Basin, Montana, and working in the Big Sky area in construction.
Community Impact and Support
Sheriff Springer extended condolences to Kjersem’s family, stating, “To the family and friends of Dustin Kjersem, you are all in our thoughts and prayers. No one deserves to have this happen to them.” Kjersem’s sister, Jillian Price, shared that he had a daughter and a stepson, remembering him for his caring nature and infectious laughter.
A Warning to Criminals
In closing, Sheriff Springer emphasized, “To the other criminals out there, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and its partners will not stand for this type of behavior. You will not get away with it in our community. If you have some need to commit these types of crimes, let it be known, we will hunt you down, and we will make sure that you never see the light of day again.”
He acknowledged that while a suspect has been arrested, there is still much work to be done. “The motives of this attack are still unknown, and the investigators will continue to piece together everything they can to build a better picture of the events that evening.”
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